The Demon King's Awakening - The Calm Before the Storm

The sky was still shaking with the power Ajmal had released. The blue magic circles slowly faded, but their glow still lingered like stars trapped in daylight. The heroes watched him—some with hope, some with fear, some with amazement. For a moment, the invasion paused. For a moment, the world felt safe again.

But only for a moment.

Because the giant dark portal in the sky began spinning even faster.

And this time…
everyone could feel it.

Something terrifying was about to come out.

The city was broken.

Streets were cracked.
Buildings leaned dangerously.
Flames burned in corners.
Smoke covered the sky.

People hid behind rubble, whispering prayers, crying silently.

But even in the chaos, people looked toward Ajmal, standing tall in the middle of the destruction. His presence alone gave them courage. A soft, magical breeze spread from him, calming the terrified hearts of humans.

A little boy hiding behind a broken car whispered to his mother:

Boy:
“Mom… who is that man?”

Mother, tears in her eyes:
“He’s the strongest magician we have…
He’s our hope.”

Sumit wiped blood from his forehead. His breath was heavy but controlled. He approached Jirsong, who was standing on top of a broken truck, scanning the battlefield.

Jirsong:
“Sumit… Ajmal Sir really came back. We might actually win.”

Sumit shook his head slowly.

Sumit:
“No… not yet.
Look at the portal.”

Jirsong turned his head—and froze.

The portal wasn’t shrinking.

It wasn’t closing.

It was growing.

Swirling faster.
Glowing darker.
Charging like a storm preparing to explode.

Sumit’s voice was firm.

Sumit:
“The real fight hasn’t started.
Ajmal Sir knows it too.”

Jirsong swallowed, his electricity crackling uncontrollably around his hands.

Jirsong:
“Then… we need to get ready.”

Sumit nodded.

The sisters were hiding behind a broken building, watching Ajmal destroy demons with casual movements. Serdihun was still shaking, but now her fear was mixed with hope.

Serdihun 2 grabbed her hand tightly.

Serdihun 2:
“Sis… if Ajmal Sir is here, we can fight.
We don’t need to be afraid anymore.”

Serdihun looked at her sister’s determined face and took a deep breath.

Serdihun:
“You’re right.
We can help people.
We can save lives.”

They both stood and joined the injured civilians who were trying to escape, guiding them toward safer areas.

Finally… they were becoming heroes.

The ground shook harder. Dust fell from the ceiling. Medical tools rattled on the shelves.

Buddhist tried once more to stand.

And this time…

he did.

His legs trembled.
His wound stung like fire.
His breathing was rough.

But he stood.

Sengkan looked at him with shock.

Sengkan:
“You idiot! You’ll make your injuries worse!”

Buddhist kept staring out the window at the dark portal.

Buddhist:
“I don’t care.
My friends are out there.
The people need help.”

Digangto smiled weakly.

Digangto:
“Then go.
We’ll be okay here.”

Sengkan clicked his tongue.

Sengkan:
“Tch… you’re crazy.
But… do what you want.”

Buddhist limped toward the door.

He was still injured.

But his spirit was burning.

Inside the shattered building, Ayon and the demon leader clashed over and over again. Their attacks created shockwaves that shattered walls and blew out windows.

Ayon’s fists were glowing with lightning.
The demon leader’s claws burned with dark fire.

Ayon:
“You will not win!”

The demon leader smiled cruelly.

Demon Leader:
“Human… your world is already lost.”

He struck Ayon across the chest.

Ayon flew through three walls, leaving cracks behind him.

But he stood again.

Ayon:
“I won’t fall…
Not when my friends are fighting out there.”

The demon leader growled.

Demon Leader:
“Your courage means nothing.
When my king arrives… all of you will be erased.”

Ayon froze.

Ayon:
“King…?”

Back outside, Ajmal lifted his hand, and a long silver staff appeared in his grip. It shone with deep blue runes. Heroes around him felt the energy shift again.

Ram Sir stepped beside him.

Ram Sir:
“You’re actually using your staff…
This is serious.”

Ajmal:
“Yes.
This isn’t an invasion.
This is a preparation for something worse.”

The giant magic circle above him kept expanding.

Alir ran to them, breathless.

Alir:
“Ajmal Sir! More demons are coming out!”

Ajmal looked up.

The demons pouring through the gate were bigger.
Stronger.
Filled with twice the hatred and twice the power.

Ajmal:
“High-class demons…
The king’s army.”

Ram Sir:
“Then the Demon King is really coming?”

Ajmal didn’t answer immediately.

He watched the portal silently.

The wind roared.
The clouds twisted.
Lightning tore across the dark sky.

Ajmal:
“He is awakening.”

A loud rumbling sound shook the entire city. The portal expanded into a massive spinning vortex. Debris from the ground floated upward. Cars rose a few centimeters. Stones shook and lifted.

It felt like gravity itself was being pulled toward the portal.

People started screaming again.

Mother:
“What’s happening?!”

Old man:
“Is this the end?!”

Child:
“I don’t want to die!”

Even the heroes felt fear crawling up their spines.

Ajmal raised his staff.

A magical wave spread across the city.

A soothing voice echoed inside every human’s heart.

Ajmal:
“Don’t fear.
As long as we stand together…
this world will not fall.”

The people stopped crying.

Hope returned.

Heroes felt their strength return.

Serdihun and Serdihun 2 stood firmer.

Sumit clenched his fist.

Jirsong’s electricity brightened.

Buddhist stopped limping and stood taller.

Ayon heard the voice even through the building.

Ayon (smiling):
“Ajmal Sir… thank you.”

The sky cracked with a sound like thunder splitting mountains.

The portal tore open further—

And a massive horned silhouette appeared inside the darkness.

Huge.
Towering.
Covered with black flames.

A presence so heavy that even demons trembled.

A presence so dark that the world seemed to darken further.

Ajmal’s eyes narrowed.

Ram Sir whispered, voice shaking:

Ram Sir:
“That… that is…”

Ajmal:
“Yes.”

Ajmal:
“The Demon King.”

The silhouette didn’t fully step out yet, but a voice echoed from inside the darkness.

Deep.
Rumbling.
Terrifying.

Demon King:
“HUMAN WORLD…
PREPARE TO BE ERASED.”

Even Ajmal tightened his grip on his staff.

Ajmal (thinking):
His power is overwhelming.
Even with all my strength…
this will be the hardest battle of my life.

Sumit, Jirsong, Alir, Ram Sir, Serdihun 1 and 2, and dozens of other heroes formed a large circle around Ajmal.

Buddhist finally arrived, limping but determined.

Ayon burst out of the destroyed building and joined them, bruised but still standing.

Ayon:
“I’m ready.”

Sumit:
“Me too.”

Jirsong:
“Let’s finish this together.”

Ajmal’s magic circle burned brighter.

Ajmal:
“Listen, everyone.
This is the beginning of the greatest battle of our lives.
But as long as we fight together…”

He raised his staff high.

The earth glowed beneath the heroes’ feet.

Ajmal:
“We can win.”

One giant leg emerged from the portal.

Black flames burned around it.
The ground cracked.
Winds howled.

The world held its breath.

Ajmal exhaled slowly.

Ajmal:
“…It begins.”